The collection is rooted in the house’s Roman heritage – although I got my first look in Paris this summer (very fitting) – and takes classic notes like white florals, musk and oud, while adding unexpected Italian touches. Think: couture-level infusions divided into seven olfactory “dreams” created by different master perfumers – cappuccino accord, Calabrian citrus and olive wood. It’s Valentino’s ode to the dolce vita, and believe me, it’s just as dreamy as it sounds. And because it’s Valentino, the bottles are just as stunning. Think studded caps straight out of the Rockstud playbook and hand-cut canvas labels made from the same fabric as their couture wardrobe boxes. It’s the kind of thoughtful, over-the-top luxury we don’t see enough of these days. Each is priced at $330 for a 100ml bottle or $165 for a 30ml bottle (launching early next year). “The strength of this collection lies in the unexpected duos of ingredients that create surprise and modernity,” says perfumer Andrew Everett, the nose behind one of Valentino’s new fragrances, Club Couture.
